After the Super Bowl ends and everyone’s brackets for March Madness get filled out, the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd is not far away. The 2023 Baseball season is shaping up to be another exciting one for the three teams we root for in our area. Here’s my humble take on the outlook of our three favorite teams.

Phillies:  After a stunning performance last season for the Philadelphia Phillies, their future looks bright. They have countless young stars like second baseman Bryson Stott, along with outfielder Brandon Marsh. These two young studs are just 25 years old but played a major role in their World Series run last season, and fans are looking forward to this season. However, the big offseason news was the signing of one of the top all around players in baseball, shortstop Trea Turner. This puts another bat in the lineup which, with the return of Bryce Harper before the All-Star break, makes it one of the most formidable in all of baseball. They also boosted their pitching staff with the additions of left handed starter Taijuan Walker, reliever Greg Soto, (30 saves for Detroit last season), and veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to give their staff some needed depth and leadership. An injury-free season and consistent production should result in a second consecutive run to The World Series for the Fightins.

Mets: The New York Mets had a great season last year. They came into the playoffs with a resounding 101-61 win-loss record, and had The World Series in their sights. Having big bats like Pete Alonso,  and defending National League Batting Champion Jeff McNeil at the dish along with many more paved their path through teams like the rivaling Philadelphia Phillies, who they held a 14-5 record against during the regular season. Unfortunately, they were knocked out in the first round by the surprising San Diego Padres, ending their run with a 6-0 defeat. Looking towards next season, the Mets look more ready than ever. Their pitching may have lost right handed pitcher Jacob Degrom, but they countered that by signing right handed pitcher and defending Cy Young Award Winner, Justin Verlander. He and Matt Scherzer, if healthy, are set to mow down batters as one of the best pitching duos the league has seen in a long time. As long as they stay composed and learn from last season’s early playoff exit, there’s no reason to believe that they too will make a run at the world title. This Just In: Edwin Diaz, the Mets closer, injured his leg in the celebration of Puerto Rico’s victory over The Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, and he is out for the season. The Mets’ road to The World Series just got a little bit harder.

Yankees: The New York Yankees are one of the most confusing teams in baseball. They have one of the best bats in the league with Aaron Judge hitting an AL record 62 home runs last season, as well as great bats like outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who regularly hit moonshot home runs. They also have a solid one/two punch with starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortez, and an emerging star in center fielder Harrison Bader. However, having Josh Donaldson starting at third base coming off of a year when he hit a mere .222, with only 15 home runs, and Aaron Hick starting in left field after hitting .216 last season is definitely concerning. In spring training they have two promising looking prospects in outfielder Jasson Dominguez, and infielder Anthony Volpe, who might be able to make the jump to the big leagues. However, if they don’t, and if the second half of the starting rotation can’t stay healthy, it seems to be a longshot for the Yankees to make any kind of playoff run, especially if they still can’t figure out how to beat the Houston Astros.